birdhouse

Saturday, January 23, 2016

Splashed over the news that many had anticipated. Not for a juicy story but more out of sympathy.

‘Why must it happen again? Many kept asking

Once bitten twice shy so it had been said. But now it had happened again. It had been brewing in the social media but now confirmed‘Corporate figure seen leaving the family court teary-eyed' went the headline

His wife had been awarded the equivalent of a decree nisi. Though there were still hopes for the husband but she was adamant. She was contending for an absolute divorce given time.

The husband is a successful businessman wealthy and good looking. His first marriage was also to a beautiful young actress 10 years ago very much his junior. It broke the hearts of many young suitors.

Local tradition required newly-weds to be seated on a dais to be ogled at. The twinkle in her eyes and her captivating smile none could forget It was dubbed the wedding of the year a gala event All were for the wedding.

But it was not to be. Two years later they were divorced. She had a son.! She then went back to acting again with some notable ones to her credit. She was still in demand, popular pretty and prim.

He went back to his calling. setting new directions for his business and reviewing plans It gave him the respite to work wholeheartedly for what he thought had been ‘neglected'.

She in the meantime was not bitter. She maintained good relations, especially with her twin sisters-in-law. The family even took her along on holidays.

But still a man without a woman's touch would feel restless and lonely. It went on for four years. He then announced a shocker one day. He had just been betrothed to an actress and marriage plans were being worked on.

She was just as pretty and young. The current #1 actress in the local scene. A pretty face her's had adorned the many publicity ads and promotions on TV and the print media. It was a coup and again it broke the hearts of the young suitors. Wonder what he had that we did not, they kept saying!

Fast forward three years with two children in tow and there he was walking out of the family court

A corporate success who had it made overriding the many employees of caliber. It was just inconceivable that he failed to maintain harmony in just a family unit. .Were there interference and meddling by third parties?

Was it the first ex-wife with the connivance of the twins? There were some nasty Whatsapp messages that went the rounds prior to the divorce but vehemently denied. There was also a substantial flow of messages purportedly from the mother-in-law that gave accounts of the sins of the second wife. These appeared credible as only she was privy to many of the events mentioned. All were in defense of her son at the expense of the wife.

Was it he himself wanting yet to ‘debauch' a pretty face telling the whole world he could do it again. Would there be a third actress wife in the offing?

We can only mention what goes around comes around! Nothing haunts quite like Karma!
(540 words)

Monday, July 8, 2013

Image:1 The Arrival of His Excellency the Prime Minister, YAM Tunku Abdul Rahman
graciously received by The Commandant, Lt Col R L King

Image:2 The Arival of His Royal Highness the Yang Di-Pertuan Besar Negri Sembilan, Tuanku Munawir

Image:3 His Majesty The DYMM The Yang Di-Pertuan Agong, the Raja of Perlis

Image:4 His Majesty Going Over for the Inspection
The Inspection done on a Royal vehicle as the parade in Port Dickson took place on the College Padang which had to cover lots of ground ( unlike that of the Parade Square in Sg Besi which is smaller where it was done on foot)

Image: 5 The Inspection of the Guard of Honor, comprising the Senior Cadets

Image:6 The Inspection of The Boys Wing. The image was taken from up on the ridge at the MQ

Image: 7 His Majesty taking the Royal Salute

Image: 8 The March Past by the Band. The MQ in the background

Image:9 The March Past by the Cadets

Image: 10-The March Past by 'G' Coy

Image: 11 The DYMM Yang DiPertuan Agong presenting the Director's of Studies Prize (for Academic Excellence) to 'G' Coy's SUO Salleh Mohd Nor of Upper Six Science ( a brilliant scholar, who hailed from Juasseh, Kuala Pilah later Tan Sri,Dr. who once helmed the Forest Research Institute, and currently the Malaysian Nature Society and countless other NGOs )

Image: 12 The Passing Out of the Senior Cadets accompanied with the strains of the Auld Lang Syne

The Sovereign’s Parade is a most auspicious day for the Royal Military College (RMC). It is an annual event held at the end of the year. The Sovereign’s Parade as the name suggests is graced with the Royal presence of the King, the DYMM Yang DiPertuan Agong who would confer the designated royal commissions to the graduating Senior Cadets.

It is a passing-out parade, the culmination of a 2-year training stint for the Senior Cadets. They are commissioned into the Armed Forces as a young subaltern officer with the rank of a 2nd Lieutenant in the Army ( or its equivalent in the Navy and Air Force )

In 1960, the then Federation Military College (FMC) comprised the Cadet Wing and the Boys Wing (now Cawangan Putra). In the Sovereign’s Parade 1960 ( as in all others until recently), the Boys Wing was accorded the privilege and honour of active participation together with the Cadet Wing.

This is a pictorial essay based on pictures in Hank's possession. It provides just a glimpse of what happened, just a little of the dignified pomp and pageantry, an event steeped in the tradition and ceremony of the military, just a record to say that ‘I was there 50 years ago in the Sovereign’s Parade in Port Dickson’.

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

These pictures were taken many years ago at various locations. During the recent festive holidays there were some requests from my nephews and nieces to see my collection of slides and photos. These may be of interest to those featured. Those whose photos are not here will get to see them as and when later.

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Image1: Our first Prime Minister YAM Tengku Abdul Rahman being received upon arrival in conjunction with the Silver Jubilee of Merdeka in 1982
(Photo Credit: Courtesy of Utusan Malaysia)

Image2: FDC of the Silver Jubilee 1957-1982

Image3: Souvernir Sheet of the 4 stamps

FDC Series # 01/11 – Silver Jubilee of Merdeka 1957-1982

Merdeka Day ( Aug 31st) and Malaysia Day (Sept 16th )

For this year, 2011,we’re celebrating both the 2 auspicious days jointly on Sept 16, 2011 ie The 54th Anniversary of Independence, Merdeka Day and the 48th Anniversary of the formation of Malaysia, Malaysia Day.

I do not wish to dwell on the details relating to both these important days. It could be dealt with at other forums that are available. One can google for Wikipedia to get a fair picture.

What triggered off the idea for this posting was a pictorial report in a local daily of our first Prime Minister, YAM Tengku Abdul Rahman Putra Al Haj who was shown on the occasion of the 25th Merdeka Anniversary in 1982 (see above) it being the Silver Jubilee 1957-82 of Merdeka.

I thought it would be meaningful for me to rummage through my collections of FDCs (First Day Covers) to see if there is one. True enough, I have it. In fact not just one but a few, 25 pieces altogether. I have given some away during the recent Hari Raya which fell on Aug 30th ( in appreciation of those who came visiting ) Each of these FDCs issued on Aug 31st 1982 is ‘29 years old’. I wonder how much is the value now. Not much I think but there is a difference from what I had paid definitely.

There were a 10,15,50 and 80cts stamps affixed and cancelled at the Philatelic Bureau at Dayabumi ( a special cancellation unlike at other Post Offices) There was also a special issue of all the 4 stamps in a Souvenir sheet at RM1.55 per set. Altogether I would have spent RM 1.55 for the Souvenir Sheet and RM1.65 for the FDC ( including 10ct for the envelope) making a total of RM3.20cts per set.

Saturday, August 27, 2011

Image3: I found this little creature in the backyard one morning. It is just a common lizard in the bush called cengkarung (of no monetary value)

The Elusive Cure

I happened to run smack into a little creature on the stalk of my papaya tree. I took some snapshots at different times but mostly for two mornings

It’s been variously described as an animal holding out. Its ancestors were dated to the dinosaurs' era. It’s distant cousins are the alligators , fresh water crocodiles,monitor lizards, the desert dhab and the Komodo dragon.

Interestingly enough, all these ‘cousins’ were known to us before. They were either to be avoided (alligators and crocodiles) treated with respect or considered a nuisance (house lizards) or even as barbecued offerings for those adventurous enough and not squeamish about having them for dinner.

What was surprising was that in recent times one of these geckos have been adopted as pets . They came in different colours and texture and traded and exchanged among pet owners. Not enough with that a report recently had them as a cure for AIDS and priced accordingly at close to USD1000 or even double that in the Philippines.

Saturday, August 6, 2011

A Recent Snapshot: Azhar with his office colleague SyamNostalgia Series #4
These are selected snapshots of Azhar. I have a lot of coloured slides gathering dust in one corner. I decided to post some selected ones here (which otherwise Azhar himself might not even have seen , especially the earlier ones)

1988 At the Epcot Centre, Disney World, Orlando, Florida
Image: 1. Saying 'Hello' to Pinnoccio upon arrival at Disney World

Image: 2 Disney Main StreetImage: 3 Disney Main Street
From Left: Shadah, Azlin and Hafidz. and Little Azhar in the pram

Image:4
The Dome in the background at the Epcot Centre

1988 Florida
Visiting the Crocodile sanctuary on the outskirts of Tampa, Florida
with sis Azlin1988 Kissimmee , Florida
Window shopping at a Mall1990 TTDI K. Lumpur
Azhar with his 1st vehicle before his MyV

1995 Los Angeles Disneyland
Image 1: Azhar with his Mama Shadah

Image: 2 At the Shark and Dolphin Enclosures

Image: 3 Patting the dolphinImage: 4 In front of the famous Walt Disney castle with sis Azlin